“24” (KASA-2 7 p.m.) FOX fires off a two-night, four-hour opening salvo in the new season of “24.” Seems the Chinese are still a wee bit mad at Jack for not being dead. Remember to pace yourself, Jack; it’s gonna be a looong day.

“Rome” (HBO 9 p.m.) Caesar is dead, but that doesn’t mean HBO doesn’t have plenty of backstabbing political intrigue and giant phallus references in store for the second season of “Rome.”

“Extras” (HBO 11 p.m.) Ricky Gervais, creator of the original BBC series “The Office,” pulls back the curtain on a new season of his improvised showbiz parody. Starting things off: a guest appearance by pretty boy Orlando Bloom.

Monday 15

“The 64th Annual Golden Globes” (KOB-4 7 p.m.) Although the IFC Awards long ago supplanted this long-standing statue dispensary as the hip Hollywood kudos show, you can always count on the GGs for some good Oscars indicators and a drunken celebrity or two.

“The Block” (G4 11 p.m.) In this new reality series, a whole horde of stoked-up snowboarders gets an opportunity to stay for free at the hippest hotel in Tahoe. The only catch: They have to work there.

“Dancelife” (MTV 11:30 p.m.) ProducerJennifer Lopez must have thought for weeks and weeks to come up with the idea for this new series. It’s a reality show competition in which one hot dancer gets his or her big shot at fame. ... Go watch “Pants Off Dance Off” instead.

Tuesday 16

“American Idol” (KASA-2 7 p.m.) America’s favorite show (God help us) spends another season looking for yet another boring, middle-of-the-road pop singer. Might as well tune in now while everyone sucks, so you can at least get a laugh or two.

Wednesday 17

“Mythbusters: Pirate Special” (Discovery 7 p.m.) Adam and Jamie spend two hours debunking pirate myths. So which one is going to get keelhauled in the name of science?